APEC Guidelines on HIV/AIDS in the Workplace: dissemination and implementation XVII International AIDS Conference David Patterson, Law and Human Rights Consultant Marita Killen, International Affairs Directorate, Health Canada

2 HIV/AIDS Guidelines – creating an enabling environment Source: APEC  Why chose to work with APEC? APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

3  Why APEC HIV Workplace Guidelines?  Build on work of ILO and other guidance  Cover extra issues relevant to the region  Engage government trade and industry sector  Engage the business sector  Promote government regulatory and legislative role  Use regional forum to share best practices Commission on AIDS in Asia report (2008): importance of addressing workplace discrimination APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

4  How were the APEC Guidelines developed?  2004 APEC Leaders Statement ‘Fighting AIDS…’  2005: Health Working Group consultations HIV in the workplace (Bangkok), Migrant workers and HIV (Manila)  2006: Survey of APEC members and stakeholder advisory committee (APN+, APBCA…)  2007: Guidelines endorsed at APEC Leaders Summit APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

5  What do the Guidelines contain?  Principles (from ILO Code)  Legal and policy framework  Domestic codes of practice  Gender sensitive occupational health and HIV programmes  Protection of children who work*  Factory and labour inspection, labour courts and tribunals  Health care, social security and insurance  Migrant and mobile workers*  Accreditation schemes* *new areas, not in ILO Code APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

6  From ‘Leaders Statement’ to implementation  October 2007 Member survey on implementation  Emerging issue: HIV as an episodic disability ARV: still periods of unpredictable illness for some people Similar to cancer, diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, mental illness  Law in some APEC economies requires employers to help people with disabilities stay in the workforce  11 APEC economies have signed UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

7  Next steps for  Stakeholder survey on implementation and HIV/AIDS as an episodic disability  Regional workshop, Thailand, October 2008  Compilation of best practices  Networking, dissemination of best practices, resource mobilization APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines

8  Where to find the APEC Guidelines: ⇒ Working Groups ⇒ Economic and Technical Working Group – Health Health Canada website (English, French, Spanish) contact: APEC HIV/AIDS Workplace Guidelines